Mark Wagner

Mark “Wags” Wagner lost his courageous 16 month battle with Multiple Myeloma on July 12, 2008. He was able to reach one final goal; to spend his last days in the new home he and his wife Kathy had bought in Dallas Center. He was surrounded by a loving group of family and friends throughout his battle and up to the end of his life.
Mark was born September 18, 1944 to Ruth and Donald Wagner. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962 and received his BA from Drake University in 1967 and his Masters in 1980. Mark began his long career at Valley High School in 1967 as a coach and teacher for over 35 years. He briefly worked with Beaty and Associates in 1986 but missed coaching and returned to Valley in 1990. Mark coached boys and girls swimming; teaching not only swimming and competing, but “life lessons” that students could carry into adulthood. Mark led Valley to Iowa State Girls’ championships in 1974 and ’75 and an Iowa State Boys’ championship in 1984 and coached a swimmer who went on to be an Olympian. In 1988, Mark was named to the Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame - the only coach to be inducted while still actively coaching. He was named Iowa High School Swimming Coaches Association, Coach of the Year (Girls) in 1971, ’73 and ’75, (Boys) in 1984 and 2000. In addition to coaching and teaching, Mark was the Swim Pro at Hyperion Field Club from 1971-1986. Mark left Valley in 2006 to run the swimming program at Simpson College.
After retirement he thoroughly enjoyed spending time playing golf, traveling with Kathy, teaching his grandchildren to swim, and an occasional poker night. Time spent with family and close friends was a priority in his life.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Wagner; son, Garth of Jackson, WY; daughter Melinda (Charlie) Grask of Des Moines; stepson, Christopher Haines of Des Moines; stepdaughter, Susan Haines of Dallas Center; grandchildren, Madalyn, Lindsey and Blake Grask, and Avery Haines; brothers, Kent (Sue) Wagner, Craig (Jan) Wagner, Brian (Jane) Wagner, all of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family who will distribute the funds to Mark's favorite charities and organizations including the establishment of a scholarship in his name at Valley High School in the swimming program.
Visitation is Sunday, August 3, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. The memorial service will be Monday, August 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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